Brendan Rodgers has come to the defence of defender Dane Murray after the 22-year-old endured a difficult afternoon in Celtic’s 3–1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
The first came when he turned the ball into his own net after just eight minutes, before conceding a penalty midway through the second half that allowed Lawrence Shankland to seal the result. It was a harsh lesson for a player still finding his feet at senior level, but one that Rodgers insists will help him grow.
The Celtic boss stressed that Murray’s exposure to high-pressure matches is vital for his development, and while he acknowledged the mistakes, he was quick to protect the youngster from blame. With Carter-Vickers sidelined for several months, Celtic’s lack of depth at centre-half has forced Rodgers to call on youth, and he believes Murray will benefit in the long run.
Rodgers also urged calm over Celtic’s broader struggles, pointing out that the season is still young and consistency can yet be found. But with results faltering and confidence waning, patience among supporters is wearing thin.
He said: (BBC Scotland), “Dane [Murray], the young players, you have to be exposed to the pressure. We’re needing these players.
“Dane makes the own goal and is then a little bit rash for the penalty. It’s something he’ll learn from.
“We need to find a way to be more consistent. It’s still so early, it’s only nine games. The comfort is there’s so many games to play.
“We know we can find a consistent set of games. There’s still so many points to play for.”
Rodgers’ defence of Murray is understandable given the circumstances, but it also underlines Celtic’s fragile defensive situation. The loss of Carter-Vickers has left a huge gap in experience, and it’s one the club failed to address during the summer transfer window. As a result, a young defender has been forced to learn his trade in the middle of a title race.
Murray’s mistakes were costly, but his selection points to a bigger issue, Celtic’s recruitment and readiness for big moments. For a club of their stature, relying on a 22-year-old with limited first-team experience in such a crucial game speaks volumes about the lack of squad depth.
Rodgers’ message about patience and consistency might be fair, but results like this suggest that time alone won’t fix Celtic’s problems. The manager needs backing in the market if he’s to build a team capable of competing on all fronts.
For now, Murray will carry the lessons of Tynecastle, but Rodgers must carry the responsibility for lifting a side that looks short of belief and leadership. With key games ahead, Celtic can’t afford many more afternoons where inexperience, or indecision, costs them dearly.
The circumstances are not of the manager or players making this is entirely of the boards making , stop giving them your money